HEAL Research
Weight Loss Treatment Studies
Eating Frequency and Weight Loss Study – Enrolling participants now
How often people eat throughout the day may effect how successful they are with losing weight. Previous research suggests that increased eating frequency is related to lower body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fatness. Eating frequently throughout the day may reduce overall energy consumed be preventing the development of excessive hunger. As elevated hunger increases the reinforcing value of food, and greater intake occurs when the reinforcing value of food increases, eating frequently throughout the day may be a dietary strategy that can aid with reduced intake and improving weight loss during a behavioral weight loss intervention. The Eating Frequency and Weight Loss Study provides 6 months of treatment to overweight adults between the ages of 21 to 65 at no cost.
Development of Self-Regulation in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes- Enrolling participants now
As our nation continues to battle overweight and obesity, the prevalence of diabetes will precipitously increase, placing additional financial burden on our country. Therefore, finding ways to manage this chronic disease is essential. Self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) is believed to be key in the self-management of diabetes, as it can provide feedback on dietary and activity behaviors that are believed to impact on blood glucose. The use of SMBG to adjust other behaviors that impact on BG is a self-regulatory approach to diabetes management. Self-regulation of BG is theorized to impact on self-efficacy/confidence in the management of diabetes. Through greater self-efficacy, greater compliance to diabetes self-management behaviors is achieved. Thus, the current study will investigate whether a Self-regulation intervention (SR) focused on SMBG (as a self-management tool) will improve glycemic control, diabetes self-efficacy, and diabetes self-management in overweight participants with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin. This study emphasizes current recommendations, reinforce behaviors that are positively influencing blood glucose, and guides participants toward maintaining in range blood glucose levels. Participants receive a glucometer with 3 months supply of testing strips, a home weight scale, and diabetes related educational materials at no cost. The project is funded by the National Institute of Health.
Healthy Habits Study – Closed to enrollment
For most of us, when we have a variety of choices to eat, we have a tendency to eat more than we want. Research has found that both humans and animals eat more when there are lots of different food choices (greater variety), and eat less when there are fewer food choices (less variety). A diet that contains a lot of variety of snack foods, like cookies, chips, pastries, and ice cream, is linked to eating more of these foods, and is usually high in calories and fat, which may make it hard to lose weight. Healthy Habits is the first study to investigate how limiting variety in snack foods may help with weight loss. Healthy Habits provides 18 months of treatment to overweight adults between the ages of 21 to 65 at no cost.
The LEisure-time And Nutrition (LEAN) Program – Closed to enrollment
How we spend our leisure time, either by being active or watching TV, can impact on our health and weight. Most people recognize the importance of physical activity in weight control, but the amount of time spent watching TV may also be important in achieving a healthy weight. TV watching may hinder weight loss and weight loss maintenance as watching too much TV may prevent people from spending time being active, and TV watching may prompt eating, as a common habit in many people is to eat while watching TV. The LEAN Program is the first study to investigate how different leisure-time activity prescriptions, either increasing physical activity or decreasing TV watching, may help with weight loss in adults. The LEAN Program provides 8 weeks of treatment to overweight adults between the ages of 21 to 65 at no cost.
Childhood Healthy Lifestyle Studies – Closed to enrollment
As the number of adolescents and adults who are overweight in the US has increased, developing healthy eating and activity habits in young children is more important than ever before. Child HELP (Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Program) and Kids CAN (Changing Activity and Nutrition) are the first studies that are examining how to help 4- to 9-year-old children who are at risk for overweight establish lifelong, health-promoting behaviors that will help prevent the development of obesity later in life. Child HELP and Kids CAN are programs that provide 6 months of treatment to families.
Other Research Studies
Nutritional Ergogenic Aids: The Affects of Carbohydrate-Protein Supplementation During Endurance Exercise - Enrolling participants now
The benefits of carbohydrate (CHO) consumption from sport drinks, such as Gatorade® or Powerade®, during endurance exercise lasting one hour or more is supported by current research. Recently, research has investigated the addition of protein (P) to CHO sport drinks and its affect on endurance performance. Contradicting results have been found in studies comparing the use of CHO and CHO-P supplements during endurance exercise in terms of CHO-P supplementation and performance benefits. Among the studies that have exhibited significant findings in performance benefits from CHO-P supplementation, these supplements were matched in CHO content but not total caloric content. This is the first study to compare both supplements in terms of CHO content and total caloric content and their impact on athletic performance.
Family Mealtime Study- Enrolling participants now
The Family Mealtime Study is focused on several components of family mealtimes, including: which meal is eaten, who is present at the meal, what type of food is served and eaten at the meal, where the food in the meal is prepared and/or eaten, how food is served, and the atmosphere of the meal. Three surveys will be used to determine components of family mealtimes, dietary intake, and demographics. While the parent is completing the surveys, the child will be weighed and measured. This study is looking for parent/child pairs to participate in the study. Eligibility requirements include: child aged 5-11 years old, child feeling well, child without therapeutic diet, parent reading and writing English. Upon completion of the study, participants will receive a $10 gift card. If you are interested in participating, please call the HEAL lab at (865) 974-0752.
Taste Test Study – Closed to enrollment
The Taste Test Study evaluates the preferences of females for foods commonly eaten for lunch. This study has two parts, an appointment in our lab and a dietary interview conducted over the phone. During the lab appointment, participants will be asked to eat a meal, complete questionnaires and have height and weight measures taken. The meal will include a sandwich wrap, lowfat turkey or vegetable/cheese, potato or tortilla chips, fresh fruit, and ice cream. On the day following the meal, participants will be called and asked about the foods eaten on the previous day. Upon completion of the study requirements participants will receive a $20 gift card mailed to the address provided. Initial eligible requirements include: female, 18-25 years of age, normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) and willing to taste all of the foods in the meal. Individuals majoring in nutrition or exercise, those who smoke, and those who are pregnant are not eligible for this study. If you are interested in participating in this study and you meet the basic eligibility requirements, please call Ashlee at 974-0754.
Does Portion Size Influence Intake of Low-Energy-Dense Foods in Preschool-aged Children? - Closed to enrollment
Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables has indications for the prevention of many chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer and obesity. Recommendations for the consumption of fruits and vegetables are consistently not met by adults and children in the United States which may support the increase in obesity. Environmental strategies may encourage increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Using food portion size as an antecedent, this study will investigate the impact of portion size on two foods, applesauce (low-energy dense food) and chocolate pudding (high-energy dense food) in preschool-aged children.
Contact
Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory (HEAL)
Department of Nutrition
University of Tennessee
Jessie Harris Building Room 102
1215 W. Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-1920
Phone: (865) 974-0752
Fax: (865) 974-3491
Email: heal@utk.edu